Bicalutamide-GA Tablets

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Developed by the pharmaceutical company responsible for this medicine in Australia, according to TGA regulations.

BICALUTAMIDE-GA

Bicalutamide

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about BICALUTAMIDE-GA. It does not contain all the information that is known about BICALUTAMIDE-GA.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor will have weighed the risks of you taking BICALUTAMIDE-GA against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What BICALUTAMIDE-GA is used for

BICALUTAMIDE-GA 50mg is used to treat locally advanced prostate cancer.

BICALUTAMIDE-GA is an anti-androgen medicine. Androgens such as testosterone are natural male sex hormones. In some types of prostate cancer, androgens can help the cancer cells to grow. Bicalutamide interferes with some of the actions of these hormones.

BICALUTAMIDE-GA must only be taken by men.

You must follow all the directions given to you by your doctor. They can differ from the information in this leaflet.

Your doctor can prescribe this medicine for another use. Always ask your doctor if you need more information.

How to take BICALUTAMIDE-GA

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box, you must ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual adult does is one 50mg tablet taken each day.

How to take it

Swallow your BICALUTAMIDE-GA tablet whole with a full glass of water.

When to take it

It does not matter if you take BICALUTAMIDE-GA before, with or after food. Take it at about the same time each day.

How long to take it

Continue taking BICALUTAMIDE-GA for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

If you forget to take it

If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is 12 hours before the next dose is due.

If it is less than 12 hours to the next dose do not take the dose you have missed.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (Overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or pharmacist or the poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much BICALUTAMIDE-GA. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Things to be careful of

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking BICALUTAMIDE-GA. BICALUTAMIDE-GA helps people with locally advanced prostate cancer, but it may have unwanted side effects.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometime they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

breast tenderness or changes in breast size

hot flushes or sweating

itching or dry skin

increased hairiness or hair loss

aches or pains anywhere in your body

nausea (feeling sick)

constipation

weight changes

stomach pain

unusual tiredness or weakness

decrease in your sexual drive

inability to get or maintain an erection

diarrhoea

depression

dizziness or light-headedness

sleeplessness

These are possible side effects of BICALUTAMIDE-GA.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if any of the following happen:

frequent urination

shortness of breath and dizziness when exercising and looking pale (anaemia)

excessive thirst with weight loss, and passing large amounts of urine

These are all serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if any of the following happen:

chest pain

yellowing of the skin or eyes and dark coloured urine

rash, hives or severe itching of the skin

swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing

swelling of other parts of the body including hands, feet or ankles

serious breathlessness, or sudden worsening of breathlessness, possibly with a cough or fever

shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell. Some people may get other effects while taking BICALUTAMIDE-GA.

Related information - Bicalutamide-GA Tablets

08 Dec2016 –
Information on medicines available in Australia containing bicalutamide, including our latest evidence-based information and resources for health professionals and consumers. The active ingredient is the chemical in a medicine that makes it work. Medicines that contain the same active ingredient can be available under more than one brand name. Brands include both active ingredients and inactive ingredients. You'll find information about brands of medicines that contain bicalutamide below, including their consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflets.

02 Nov2012 –
Find reliable, independent information about prostate cancer. You’ll find resources for consumers and health professionals about this health condition and any related treatments, medicines and medical tests.prostate cancer is also known as prostatic carcinoma.

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What is a consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet?

A consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet tells you about the side effects of a particular medicine, what it is used for and how to use it, and is written according to Australian government standards.

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. NPS MedicineWise disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.